Associate Director of Research Compliance

Overview

The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) supports research, scholarship, and creative activities of the NC State community, facilitates a collaborative research and innovation environment, and translates results into social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world.

Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS) facilitates the submission of proposals, negotiation of agreements, the administration of internally and externally funded projects, and the administration of sub-agreements that provide sponsored funding to NC State University for research, instruction, public service and extension. This includes all aspects of externally sponsored research and scholarship, from pre-award management to non-fiscal post-award management.

All administrative bodies at the university that oversee grants and contracts or matters of regulatory compliance are responsible for seeking guidance from SPARCS to provide optimal stewardship of external funds and regulated research subjects. An Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration leads SPARCS, which includes a team of subject matter experts and professionals, business analysts and information technology personnel. This team negotiates and accepts legal terms and conditions for conducting externally sponsored research, and manages compliance, meeting a myriad of federal and state regulations.

External sponsors include federal, state, local governments and private enterprise. They provide funding via grants, cooperative agreements or contracts where deliverables are identified and progress reporting is expected. The office enjoys a robust and close relationship with the fundraising development arm of the institution. Both entities foster excellent coordination in determining the best fit between opportunities and sponsorship. Additionally, SPARCS partners with the Office of Research Commercialization to ensure that NC State University remains in the best possible position to execute licensing agreements for intellectual property disclosed and ready for commercial application by our federal, state and industrial partners.

SPARCS also maintains primary regulatory compliance responsibilities, including human and animal subjects, conflicts of interest and commitment management, export controls, facility and data security matters, and research integrity. Our goal is to provide stellar continuing education necessary to facilitate the understanding of these critical areas of compliance as we endeavor to reduce the overall regulatory burden on the institution’s faculty and staff. This goal extends throughout the SPARCS’ organization and is illustrated in its motto to Achieve:

• respect by knowing our clientele
• leadership through service
• compliance through facilitation
• improvement by seeking feedback
• excellence through caring.

This pledge extends to the sponsors who enable research and scholarly productivity, as well as to the faculty and staff who create and transfer the knowledge and scholarship that epitomizes the very core of our great institution.

Reporting to the Director of Research Compliance, the Associate Director will work to support the ongoing assessment and improvement of regulatory and institutional policy compliance with a focus on the innovative use and deployment of information technology. The Associate Director will oversee and direct the team and is responsible for compliance related business operations, engaging in day to day interaction with the SPARCS Research Compliance team as well as university faculty and college and departmental administrators in subject matter areas that directly impact the University’s research enterprise including (but not limited to) Conflict of Interest and Commitment, Research Integrity, Export Controls, Human Subjects, Animal Care and Use, and National Security.

The Associate Director performs compliance related audits, investigative fieldwork, and other duties such as determining the presence of internal controls and reliance on organizational structure and processes. They must establish effective working relationships and build credibility with faculty, departmental staff and students to promote a culture of ethics and compliance. Identifies and makes recommendations on how to most effectively address compliance-related issues particularly in high risk areas such as controlled sponsored research, data privacy and security, and records retention, among others. They must also take responsibility for implementing such recommendations once they are adopted.

Working with the Office of Research and Innovation’s training and communications unit, assist in preparing education and training materials on timely compliance topics and conducting compliance related education and training. Collects and analyzes data and develops metrics to measure the effectiveness of all aspects of the compliance and ethics operations, programs and initiatives undertaken on behalf of the institution.

Serves as Associate Research Integrity Officer. Assists in the vetting of new allegations of misconduct (falsification, plagiarism or fabrication) brought forth pursuant to pertinent regulation. Consults with the Research Integrity Officer, Internal Audit, and the Office of General Counsel as appropriate. Assists in the assignment of inquiry and investigation committee membership and coordinate and/or lead all meetings as needed. Performs all directed inquiry and investigative steps under the direction of appointed committees. Provides administrative support to investigation committees and assist in the development of inquiry and investigation reports compliant with NC State regulation and external oversight body expectation (ORI, NSF OIG, etc.).

Follow this link to apply: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/123517

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.